WHERE IN THE WORLD: COLOMBO, SRI LANKA

Travel notes from the tour zone with George Fontana

Tea! Sri Lanka, formerly the British Colony of Ceylon, is known world-wide for its tea. And the Sri Lankans take their tea very seriously. We visited a modern packing operation where tea from across the island nation is sorted, sealed into tea bags, packed and shipped – all done under the most sanitary conditions. The employees wear protective clothing (shoe covers, aprons, face masks and head coverings), and work in areas sealed by glass enclosures. Visually, it reminds one of a hospital surgical suite. To observe the operation, visitors are required to don the same protective gear to avoid contaminating the work space. While there, we were briefed on the health benefits of the beverage; green tea is a clear winner. After returning to our ship, I undertook a walking tour of central Colombo. Unlike the pristine, shiny new cities we encountered in Asia, Colombo remains a third world city, albeit one on the rise. The crowded streets, the shabby shops, the small waterfront live-aboard community, the modest Hindu and Buddhist temples tucked between storefronts, the striking candy-striped Jami-Ul-Afar Mosque, a landmark for years, and modern high-rise towers combine to create a colorful, multi-layered urban culture. My favorite Colombo image? A clothesline adding a domestic touch to a former lighthouse, now a private residence.

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